The British Get Surprised At the Battle of Craney Island-- Part 2

The Royal Navy had arrived in the Chesapeake Bay in February to set up a blockade and conduct raids on the shore.

The USS Constellation had been chased into Norfolk back in 1812 and had been bottled up there ever since.  Back in the first year of the war, 1812, the British Navy had been greatly embarrassed by the domination of the bigger and stronger U.S. frigates in single ship actions with their frigates. 

They really wanted to capture the Constellation as payback.  It was even rumored that at one time the British commander, Admiral Cockburn, had disguised himself and snuck into Norfolk to see the ship himself and gather information for an attack (but I kind of doubt that an admiral would do such a thing).

The Constellation's commander, Captain Charles Stewart, besides wanting to get out of port, lamented how poorly Norfolk was defended with its two small forts.  So he, militia Brigadier General Robert Barrand Taylor and Army Engineer Walter K. Armistead planned the construction of a new fort on Craney Island.  Also, Gosport Navy Yard Commandant John Cassin agreed to let the new Craney Island defenses use his twenty gunboats.

The Constellation sent three of its large caliber naval guns to the new fort which also had a battery of four 6-pound field guns manned by militiamen of the Portsmouth Light Artillery.

More to Come.  --Brock-Perry